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ment of families passing through this temporary accommodation and twenty were rehoused during
the twelve months of 1967.
Most, although not all, of the families have low incomes which can, in some cases, be
said to be below their needs. The needs fluctuate with the passage of time. Sickness can reduce
incomes which were previously adequate, economic crises can and do cause unemployment, cost
of living goes up not always with a corresponding increase in earnings, growing children make
greater demands on the family purse which cannot always stretch to meet such commitments.
Although supplementary benefits aid a large number whose incomes are below the "approved
standards" and allow them to be brought up to the minimum requirements, there are still some
families whose full-time earnings are low who are not entitled to State benefits to bring their
incomes up to subsistence level.
The Family Service Unit have assisted the department in providing casework support for
this section of problem families. The social workers in the department spend most of their time
on family casework and many of their clients will require years of intensive support.
CONCLUSION
The year has been one of great activity. Running the welfare services by the borough has
brought to the residents of Waltham Forest an awareness of the help which is available to them
when they are in trouble and they have taken full advantage of the counselling services and the
practical assistance which is there for those in need.
B.A.Warshaw
Chief Welfare Officer
Community Care of Old People
This year's report arises from a special study in addition to the routine work for medical
priorities for rehousing and considers some of the requirements of old people in the borough; and
especially their requirements for what, in general, they do not get. For these purposes, "old
people" will be taken as persons over 65: and in fact this classification represents one of their
difficulties.
Persons over 65 fall roughly into two categories: firstly, those who can look after themselves
and be busied in some useful occupation; and secondly, those who cannot.
In the second class, there are patients with a few chronic illnesses which in an old
person prevent the ordinary business of life; and the requirement of these patients is for various
forms of aid and nursing; rarely hospitalisation. Also in this class are those people who, for
reasons absolutely necessary or otherwise, have become permanent inmates of hospital or
institutions, with resultant mental deterioration. For most of these people, some time in the past
the requirement has been for a home, and this requirement has not been met. Now, in a few cases,
their situation might be reversed by a change in living conditions to almost anything different
from the present.
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